Thoughts after the first year.

Astonishing as it is, I landed a year ago today. And I feel that this is deserving of some reflection (and the party that we are throwing tomorrow!!)

Overall assessment - excellent move. We have space, fresh air, less stress, a garden, more sport, good friends and home grown peas (first ones eaten today)! And a Gordon, of course.

There are things that drive us a bit bananas here - bad roads, worse drivers, cold and damp houses, less choice as a consumer and no reasonable public transport. But they aren't so bad after all. We currently have a dry house that is easier to heat than the last one, and if we do ever build then it'll be the coziest, eco-friendliest house that we can afford.

The public transport thing is a pain, especially as we live so close to a station. I guess that there is a train meltdown rate of about 1/20 of the occasions that we try to use it. And when it melts, it really melts. Also, there is always a designated driver or taxi required for socialising. But you can work around that too.

As consumers, we have become much more attuned to the seasonality of food. If it isn't in season then it doesn't get bought. But when the cost of an aubergine can go from $1 to $10 over the year, it is the sensible way forward. Also having garden space to grow veggies is making us more conscious of what we eat and how much we can do for ourselves. Food yards instead of miles. I have designs on digging up the front lawn, but maybe it isn't the best way to keep our landlords content. Things are so easy to grow in the mild Auckland climate. Sadly the weeds grow at least as well as the veggies, but that's manageable.

Clothes are significantly more expensive here, and I guess that removes the buying for the sake of it that I have certainly been guilty of in the past. I am learning the important difference between 'want' and 'need'. And that isn't to say that I deny myself things that only fall into the 'want' category, I just recognise them for what they are. We have both started reading the Get Rich Slowly blog, which is where a lot of this thinking comes from, I guess.

I have noticed that our pleasures are becoming simpler too. So much of Kiwi leisure revolves around outdoorsiness that it is easy to have plenty to do without spending a bean doing it, so you can automatically do more! Meeting up with friends tends to be done at home (somebody's home). And now that we're heading into the barbie season, I'm sure there will be lots of relaxing in people's gardens. I can see the next few holidays being NZ ones as we get on and explore. With maybe a trip to the Pacific islands next winter.

There are silly numbers of sporting events in Auckland that we are getting involved in. Will is signed up for the quarter marathon on Sunday as well as the Stroke and Stride swim/run biathlon series. We're both taking part in a charity race (I'm doing the 10k and Will the half marathon) at the end of November as well as the Wharf to Wharf on Waiheke (followed by a vineyard lunch). That one is a ridiculously hilly 22.5km for Will and a hilly 12km for me.

And what do we miss? Well all you guys, of course. This is a good time to re-iterate our open invitation to pop by if you're in the neighbourhood.

It's been hard to be a long way away with all the babies being born and Little Will being sick. They are the ones who change so fast and will grow up only seeing us as occasional (yet very cool) aunt and uncle.

Technology is great for keeping in touch (I speak for myself a bit here - Will isn't quite as good at picking the phone up). It's cheap or free and so easy. And I am even still writing the odd letter here and there too (but finding that the post isn't that reliable - still waiting on 2 parcels I sent to myself from the UK!)

Having come back to visit, I don't miss London at all. I found it dirty, far too busy and hard to get around.

Anyway, those are my thoughts for now. Hope you enjoyed them.

Kx